ˈsäˌfizəm noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Middle French sophisme & Latin sophisma ) of earlier sophim, from Middle English, from Middle French sophime, sophisme, from Latin sophisma, from Greek, clever device, artifice, sophism, from sophizesthai to become wise, act craftily, deceive, deal in sophisms, from sophos skilled, clever, wise
1. : an argument that is correct in form or appearance but is actually invalid ; especially : an argument used for deception, disputation, or the display of intellectual brilliance
employ a sophism
— compare skepticism
2. : specious reasoning : sophistry 1
3. : sophistry 4